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Trip from Bridgeport, CT to Durham, CT

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

55m

Distance

39 mi

63 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$6

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 13 min
4 AM
0h 51m ★
6 AM
0h 55m
8 AM
1h 4m
10 AM
0h 59m
12 PM
0h 58m
3 PM
0h 59m
5 PM
1h 4m
8 PM
0h 53m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

county seat city of Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States

Bridgeport, CT

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Durham, CT, CT

Durham, CT

MART PRODUCTION

Trip Overview

The drive from Bridgeport, CT to Durham, CT covers 39 miles and takes about 55m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Wilbur Cross Parkway, I 91, CT 8 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 15.6 miles on Wilbur Cross Parkway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $6.28 one way before food or hotel costs.

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 55m. Total distance: 39 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

55m drive, comfortable solo distance.

EV Driver

0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (77%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

This is a 55m highway drive covering 39 miles, with most of the trip on Wilbur Cross Parkway and I 91. The longest continuous stretch is about 15.6 miles on Wilbur Cross Parkway.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 20 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Wilbur Cross Parkway is the longest continuous segment at about 15.6 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Wilbur Cross Parkway and I 91. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.2 miles in near CT 8.

Driving Effort 9/10

Focused - lots of decisions in a short distance, but it is over quickly

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a short but busy drive. With 15 decision points packed into just 39 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 55m.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 3.2 miles (CT 8): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 24.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 15 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

6
3.2 mi into trip | ~3m in | CT 8

Keep slight right at fork onto CT 8 toward CT 8 North: Waterbury, New Haven

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward CT 8 North: Waterbury, New Haven
8
5 mi into trip | ~6m in

Take the exit toward CT 15 North: Merritt Parkway, New Haven

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Exit 6 Toward CT 15 North: Merritt Parkway, New Haven
7
24.3 mi into trip | ~31m in

Take the exit toward CT 22: North Haven

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 53 Toward CT 22: North Haven
6
25.3 mi into trip | ~33m in | US 5 / Washington Avenue

Turn left onto US 5 / Washington Avenue

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
8
33.2 mi into trip | ~43m in

Take the exit toward CT 68: Yalesville, Durham

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Exit 15 Toward CT 68: Yalesville, Durham

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

On the drive from Bridgeport, CT to Durham, CT, road signs begin pointing toward New Haven along the way.

New Haven

3.2 mi in | ~3m | via CT 8

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Wilbur Cross Parkway 15.6 mi 19m
I 91 6.8 mi 7m
CT 8 4.5 mi 5m
Merritt Parkway 3 mi 4m
Wallingford Road 3 mi 5m
Durham Road 1.2 mi 2m
Barnes Road 0.9 mi 1m
Washington Avenue 0.7 mi 1m
Longest stretch: Wilbur Cross Parkway — 15.6 mi, about 19m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Bridgeport, CT and Durham, CT.

1

Start on CT 130

0.3 mi · 32 sec · Fairfield Avenue
2

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 29 sec
Toward CT 8, CT 25 North: Trumbull, Waterbury
3

Merge onto CT 8; CT 25

2.7 mi · 2 min · CT 8; CT 25
Use the straight / right lanes.
4

Keep slight right at fork onto CT 8

1.8 mi · 2 min · CT 8
Toward CT 8 North: Waterbury, New Haven
5

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 1 min
Exit 6 Toward CT 15 North: Merritt Parkway, New Haven Use the slight right lane.
6

Merge onto CT 15

3.0 mi · 4 min · Merritt Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Continue on CT 15

16 mi · 19 min · Wilbur Cross Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 32 sec
Exit 53 Toward CT 22: North Haven Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

At end of road, turn right onto CT 22

0.2 mi · 19 sec · Bishop Street
10

Continue on US 5; CT 22

0.7 mi · 1 min · Clintonville Road
11

Turn left onto US 5

0.7 mi · 1 min · Washington Avenue
Use the left lane.
12

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 1 min
Toward I 91 North: Hartford
13

Merge onto I 91

6.8 mi · 7 min · I 91
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
14

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 53 sec
Exit 15 Toward CT 68: Yalesville, Durham Use the slight right lane.
15

Turn right onto CT 68

0.9 mi · 1 min · Barnes Road
16

At end of road, turn left onto CT 68

1.2 mi · 2 min · Durham Road
17

Continue on CT 68

3.0 mi · 5 min · Wallingford Road
18

At end of road, turn left onto CT 17

0.3 mi · 40 sec · Main Street
19

Turn right

130 ft · 9 sec
20

Arrive at destination

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 19.5 mi from Bridgeport, CT · 25m into the drive

town in New Haven County, Connecticut, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Hamden, CT

20 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Pacing Suggestions

Middletown, CT

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 39 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

New Haven, CT

Meal break

The midpoint is around 19.5 miles from Bridgeport, CT, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Durham, CT

Allow a few extra minutes for the final approach into Durham, CT if you are unfamiliar with the area.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$6.28 one way

$12.56 round trip

$4.09/gal 25.4 MPG avg 14 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.50 $6.91 $13.82
premium $4.86 $7.47 $14.94
diesel $5.61 $8.61 $17.22

No toll roads detected on this route.

Drive Cost (one way)

Fuel

$6

Estimated CO2 emission: 13.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 64% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 11.7 0 $4.10 $1.87
Efficient EV 9.8 0 $3.41 $1.56
EV Truck/SUV 15.6 0 $5.46 $2.50

Gas CO2

14 kg

EV CO2

5 kg (64% less)

This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.

DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast as of Apr 16, 2026

Origin

Bridgeport, CT

Evening in Bridgeport on Friday

Local time

7:11 PM

EDT

Current temp

44°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Durham, CT

Evening in Durham on Friday

Local time

7:11 PM

EDT

Current temp

42°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Time zone

Same local time

Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.

Temperature spread

2 degrees cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

55m on the road

Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Bridgeport, CT to Durham, CT covers 39 miles and takes about 55m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Wilbur Cross Parkway, I 91, CT 8. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 19.5 miles from Bridgeport, CT. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $6.28 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

This is a short but busy drive. With 15 decision points packed into just 39 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 55m.

The main spots that need attention: at 3.2 miles (CT 8): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 24.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

On the drive from Bridgeport, CT to Durham, CT, road signs begin pointing toward New Haven along the way.

How this page is built

Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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